Our Team

Miriam's Heart is comprised of a dedicated group of volunteer leaders and staff, The Board of Directors, and professional Advisors

Leadership & Staff

Board of Directors

Professional Advisors

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Leadership and Staff

Miriam's Heart is lead by a devoted group of volunteer leaders and staff who devote themselves to radically supporting children and families

Anna Mui

Volunteer Coordinator

Anna Mui is the Miriam's Heart Volunteer Coordinator.

Elizabeth Occhipinti

Co-Founder & President

Elizabeth Occhipinti Co-Founder & President of Miriam’s Heart.

Jini Looney

Intern, Events

Coming soon!

Maria Connolly

CAN, Assistant Director of Advocacy

Maria advocates to make changes to keep kids safe.

Robyn Acceturo

Community Liaison

Robyn fosters and strengthens relationships for Miriam’s Heart

Arista Chase

Administrative Assistant

A background in hospitality, events, and the design & creative fields.

Jalen Griffin

Youth Mentor

Coming soon

Kim Hopkins

Intake & Family Support

An adult adoptee and graduate student

Merle "Kip" Taylor

Facilities

Kip Taylor is currently attending Rutgers University Engineering program

Sarah Fulton

Assistant Director, Family Support

An adoptive mom, Sarah Fulton has a background in finance

Beth Olson

Intake & Family Support

An adoptive mother who desires to live out her faith in Jesus Christ.

Jasmin Bethea

Director of Programs

As Director of Programs, focused on development and managing programs.

Lilyana Occhipinti

Intern, High School

Lilyana Occhipinti is a high school intern at Miriam's Heart.

Rebekah Mindrebo

Director, Family Support

An Empowered to Connect Parent Trainer, passionate to support parents.

Sophie Ruta

Intern, Media & Marketing

A Marketing and Italian student at Rutgers University

volunteers and staff

Board of Directors

board of directors

The Board of Directors provides direction, oversight, protection, and development leadership to Miriam's Heart

Kathleen joined the Miriam's Heart Board in October of 2024. Her dedication to the well-being of children has been a driving force for many years. After earning her degree from the University of Pittsburgh, she was employed as a case manager for Big Brother Big Sister Association, where she matched children with mentors, building positive and meaningful relationships that have lasting effects on the lives of young people. Later in her career she transitioned into medical sales, but her commitment to at-risk youth never wavered. She continued her advocacy work as a CASA (court-appointed special advocate) in Hudson County, NJ, giving a voice to children in the foster care system.

She currently resides in Hoboken, NJ with her husband David of 14 years.

Joined 2024

Kathleen Platt

Nicole G. Epps, COFO of Brooklyn Org, has over a decade of leadership in strategy and community engagement, particularly in under-resourced areas. Previously, she was Chief of Staff at Osborne Association and Executive Director of the World Childhood Foundation USA, where she launched key child protection initiatives and co-developed the Out of the Shadows Index on child sexual abuse.

Nicole serves on New Jersey’s Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect and RAINN’s National Leadership Council. She holds degrees from the University of Pennsylvania, an MBA from the University of Georgia, and an MSW from Rutgers University.

Joined 2024

Nicole Epps

Elizabeth Occhipinti is the co-founder and President of Miriam’s Heart, a New Jersey nonprofit established in 2009. With 15 years of experience in supporting adopted and foster children and their families, she holds a B.S. in Human Services, an M.S. in Child and Adolescent Psychology, and is a certified Trust-Based Relational Intervention practitioner.

From 2010 to 2022, she was on the leadership team for the Christian Alliance for Orphans' International Orphan Sunday and Stand Sunday. In 2021, Elizabeth received the Angels in Adoption® award from the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute. She serves on the Somerset County Commission on Child Abuse and Missing Children and the Somerset County CIACC. Elizabeth and her husband, James, are adoptive parents of five children and welcomed their first grandson in 2024. She is also the author of the children's book Adventures of Tiger Lily, which explores adoption themes.

Founding Board Member

Elizabeth Occhipinti

Patrick Todd is a leader with extensive experience in test security and law enforcement. As Associate Director of Test Security at the College Board, he ensures fair testing for students. He served 29 years at the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, retiring as Detective/Sergeant of the Financial Crimes Unit. Patrick holds a B.S. in Business Management from Hampton University.

In 2020, he became the first African American male elected to the Montgomery Township Board of Education, where he contributes to curriculum and anti-racism initiatives. A 32-year member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Patrick is active in social action forums. He and his wife, Patricia, have two sons: Cameron, a 2021 Morehouse College graduate, and Evan, a freshman at Morehouse.

Joined 2024

Patrick Todd

Jesse is a corporate attorney, focusing on tech, venture capital and private equity. He is also a pastor’s kid, born and raised in NJ. Representing many area ministries on a pro bono basis, Jesse is passionate about helping local Christian organizations navigate the challenges posed by operating in a challenging environment and operate with excellence. Jesse has had had many connections in his life with friends and family engaging with the foster system and is excited about doing his part to help make the system better.

Jesse lives in Neshanic Station, along with his wife Beth, son Jacob and daughter Caroline. Jesse is also a musician and incurable history nerd.

Joined 2024

Jesse Nash

Jonelle has been a board member since 2022. As a board member of Miriam's Heart and she has a passion for supporting adopted and foster children and their families. Jonelle carries a deep connection to adoption. Jonelle has experience with fundraising, non-profit leadership, and development and a background in veterinary medicine and expertise in dog training. When not at work, Jonelle loves to hang out with her two boys and her husband and enjoys snuggling with her labradoodles, Elvis and Skippy.

Joined 2022

Jonelle Marchese

Dr. James Occhipinti, a lifelong New Jersey resident, was born in Rahway and raised in Princeton Junction. He graduated from West Windsor-Plainsboro High School, attended Dickinson College, and earned his DMD from the University of Pennsylvania in 1993. With nearly 25 years of dental practice in NJ, he is dedicated to community outreach, having treated patients at an AIDS hospice, volunteered in Romania, and served on the Board of the International Children’s Aid Foundation.

Dr. Occhipinti is a member of several dental associations and participates in the Seattle Study Club for continuing education. Recently, he was honored as a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry (FAGD) and named a Top Dentist by Healthy Living Magazine. He and his wife, Elizabeth, have five children and are active in their local community.

Founding Board Member

James Occhipinti

Dynamic and creative Communication leader with twenty-five years of experience contributing to the success of corporate and nonprofit organizations. Strong skills in strategy development; internal employee engagement and organizational transformation; external reputation, media and public relations; executive counsel and thought leadership; team management; channel management; and event planning. Exceptional at aligning communications with corporate strategy and vision. Recognized for unwavering integrity and being a problem solver.

Founding Board Member

Jennifer Taylor

Ivonne Droz has been a Miriam’s Heart Volunteer and Supporter for over 10 years. She has served on various roles at Miriam’s Heart and one of her favorites activities is the Respite Nights. She married her college sweetheart, Jose and together they four children and two grandchildren that keep them on their toes. She is a bio, adoptive and former foster mama. Ivonne joined the Board of Directors in 2024.

2024

Ivonne Droz

Professional Advisors.

Miriam's Heart has a large network of professional advisors to help support adoptive and foster children and families. This group of consultants works with Miriam's Heart year-round to ensure kids and families get the help they need!

Heather Janci

Child Development

Jim Occhipinti, FAGD

Dentistry

Valerie Pena and Zoey

Occupational & Pet Therapy

Christina Mosleh

American Sign Language

Emily Yang

LCSW - Child Centered Play

prof advisors

Where to Find Us

732-469-0194

info@miriamsheart.org

215 West Union Avenue

Bound Brook, NJ 08805

Mon - Fri: by appointment 10-3
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed

contact

Our Team

Leadership and Staff

Anna Mui

Elizabeth Occhipinti

Jini Looney

Maria Connolly

Robyn Acceturo

Arista Chase

Jalen Griffin

Kim Hopkins

Merle "Kip" Taylor

Sarah Fulton

Beth Olson

Jasmin Bethea

Lilyana Occhipinti

Rebekah Mindrebo

Sophie Ruta

Board of Directors

Professional Advisors.

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